A day after two concerts at Fenway Park were abruptly canceled, neither the promoter, the city’s Inspectional Services Department, the Red Sox, nor the artists would say exactly why.
Initially, Live Nation cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the last-minute cancellation of Shakira’s concert at Fenway Thursday and Friday’s show by country star Jason Aldean. In a subsequent statement, the promoter was only slightly less opaque, saying: “During a routine pre-show check, structural elements were identified as not being up to standard.”
The last-minute cancellations are believed to be the first time that a show at Fenway has been called off for reasons unrelated to weather since Bruce Springsteen kicked off the ballpark’s popular concert series with a sold-out show in 2003.
A city official not authorized to speak about the cancellations told the Globe on Friday that an aspect of the temporary stage did not pass Live Nation’s internal inspection process.
“There was a defect in the stage structure,” the official said. “The internal inspection failed. You don’t want to have the liability to have the stage crash down and kill someone.”
Neither Brian Ronan, the city’s Director of Building Inspection, nor Beth Krudys, the Red Sox senior director of Fenway concerts and entertainment, responded to calls or emails Friday. Nor did Live Nation’s New England president Don Law or the agents for Shakira and Aldean.
Fenway Park has hosted dozens of grandiose concerts since the Springsteen show more than 20 years ago, and several of those acts, notably the Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, and Guns n’ Roses, played on stages that were likely more elaborate than what Shakira and Aldean were set to perform on. Fenway’s summer concert season continues with shows by Hozier (June 23, 24); the Lumineers (July 17, 18); Jonas Brothers (Aug. 23); Chris Brown (Aug. 25); and the Who (Aug. 26).
Predictably perhaps, the absence of information about the sudden cancellation is leading to wild rumors and speculation online, including that ICE planned to be in attendance at Thursday’s show by Shakira, who is Colombian. There is no evidence that’s true. Hundreds of fans of the singer lined the streets outside Fenway on Thursday when they learned the show was canceled. They were especially disappointed because Shakira postponed a December show at TD Garden to perform at Fenway, which is larger.
As of Friday afternoon, neither Shakira nor Aldean had acknowledged the cancellations on their Instagram pages, despite fans wondering what happened.
“Heartbroken your Boston show was canceled — and even more hurt that we haven’t heard from you here,“ one of Shakira’s 92 million followers commented on her Instagram. ”Many fans traveled, spent money, and took time off just to see you. We understand things happen, but a short video message (like Lady Gaga once did) would’ve meant so much. Please don’t forget your Boston fans. We showed up for you. Please show up for us. Con cariño, A loyal fan.”
Despite the huge crowds and fanciful staging that characterize Fenway concerts, no major mishaps have been reported. But promoters of large outdoor shows know what’s possible. In August 2011, as the band Sugarland were about to perform at the Indiana State Fair, a storm with 60 mph winds toppled the stage, killing five people and injuring 45 others. Survivors and the relatives of those killed reached a $50 million settlement with the show’s organizers.
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